“True peace is not merely the absence of tension. It is the presence of justice.” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr. We’re 3 1/2 days out from one of the most traumatic elections in modern US history. It’s been brutal, folks. The pain, the grief, the shock, the reality. I was one of those people who believed it would be kind of close, that Donald Trump had indeed made huge inroads and tapped into the depths of American racism, nationalism, sexism, classism, and pretty much every other …

In 2007, I co-authored a spiritual formation tool for evangelical women called Refresh. It was a pretty cool project for that long ago; the entire book was printed in full color, magazine-style, and centered on 10 stories of real women (most of who were friends) with journaling and reflection questions, small group discussion ideas, and different ways to engage with the topics. The stories weren’t the typical Bible study ones but included abuse, adultery, abortion, eating disorders, perfectionism, fear and anxiety, and more (the cover doesn’t …

I am so sick and saddened by the entire Trump Travesty. Seriously, it is so dignity stripping–that he is even a contender. That multiple Christian leaders have endorsed him. That the Republican party got behind him. That people are wrestling with their “hard choice” (#itsnotahardchoice). That we’d have a debate like that. I am glad things are tipping in a new direction and finally so many people are waking up, speaking out louder, withdrawing their support. However, please remember that up until this point many of …

I just got back from a wild and crazy week-long adventure in Europe. We go every year on a standby trip to somewhere fun with our other friends who also work for United Airlines. This year we decided to go to Prague and Budapest. In a wonderful twist of events, our dear friends from Mercy Ministries–who live part time in Romania journeying alongside orphaned Roma (Gypsy) kids who are now young adults–invited us to come for a listening and learning weekend so we added that in, too. …

A whole lot of years ago, in the 1500’s, St. Teresa of Avila wrote this: Christ Has No Body Christ has no body but yours, No hands, no feet on earth but yours, Yours are the eyes with which he looks Compassion on this world, Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good, Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, Yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no …

I was in a conversation last week with some amazing brave and wise friends, talking about Faith Shift stuff. One of them said something that has stuck with me ever since and has been rolling around in my head and heart. The problem that a lot of us have as we grow in passion for justice and equality and change in the world as part of our shifting faith is “when people are the casualty of belief.” When people are the casualty of belief. Yes, there are …

In conversations about politics, I’ve often told my kids, “If someone tells you that trickle-down economics is a great idea, make sure you remember that it sounds all well and good but the reality is the money and resource rarely trickles down.” Oh, I know some who are reading might be shaking your head right now. I understand. But I truly believe that while the idea sounds good in theory, the money just doesn’t usually trickle down. It just doesn’t. A conversation with a new friend …

Oh, what a horrid month it’s been. Beirut, Syria, Iraq, and Paris (and many, many others not highlighted in the news). So much violence, destruction, fear, and confusion. What can we do? How do we carry on with our real lives and not ignore the reality of such deep pain in our fellow humans? We can feel so helpless. I haven’t been writing much this month for all kinds of reasons (mainly, if it doesn’t come, I just don’t force it), but I felt an urge …